Collections FAQs

  • General Questions

    We want to build a balanced collection to serve all of Edmonton. If you’re interested in a title that’s not in the EPL catalogue, let us know and we’ll consider your request. Suggestions are evaluated according to our Collection Development Policy.

    You can request up to five items per month through our online catalogue. Track the progress of your suggestion within the Suggest a Purchase pages (after logging in). Before making your suggestion, check our catalogue to make sure we don't already carry it.

    Suggest a new item (library card and PIN required)

    Yes, EPL's popular Welcome Baby song and rhyme booklet is available electronically in five world  languages: Chinese, French, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

  • Historical Fiction Collection

    Historical fiction books are still available at EPL. Due to challenges with identifying and cataloguing this material, these books have now been shelved with general fiction in the adult and adult large print collections. New historical fiction books will not feature a genre label.

    The changes will take place this year between late March and early April.

    Our EPL staff will create specialized book lists and some branches will have book displays to help you discover your next historical fiction read. If you have any questions, chat with our friendly staff for recommendations or support.

  • Music CD Collection

    All music CDs are moving to a centralized storage location. The changes will be completed by early fall.

    Borrowing of music CDs has declined, while demand for space in our branches continues to grow. To better accommodate high-demand collections and services, music CDs will only be available by hold through our online catalogue, with pickup available at any branch.

    All music CDs moved into centralized storage will show as belonging to “Music CD Storage (accessible via hold only).” 

    Any item designated as belonging to the “Music CD Storage (accessible via hold only)” collection will only be accessible via hold placement and can be picked up at your preferred branch. Our EPL staff would be happy to assist if you are visiting one of our branches.

  • Capital City Press Collection

    The Capital City Press Collection is a print collection of books written by authors residing in the Greater Edmonton Area, or members of the Treaty 6 First Nations within Alberta’s provincial boundaries; or members of a Metis Settlement within the provincial borders of Alberta. This includes: Alexander First Nation, Alexa Nakota Sioux Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, Enoch Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Frog Lake First Nation, Whitefish Lake First Nation #128, Heart Lake First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation, O’Chiese First Nation, Paul First Nation, Samson Cree Nation, and Sunchild First Nation.

    The Capital City Press Collection is housed on the second floor of the Stanley A. Milner Library. You can also browse the collection and place the titles on hold through our website.

    As this is a special collection meant to showcase the work of local writers, a focus on a print collection allows us to highlight and celebrate these works to all visitors of the Stanley A. Milner Library. If you would like EPL to consider purchasing your ebook, please follow the guidelines provided on our Information for Creators page.

    If your work is already in the Capital City Press Collection, we will not purchase additional copies. If your work is in EPL’s general collection, please submit for consideration.  

    Yes, we will purchase your book at the retail price. 

    All books will be purchased through our authorized print vendor. EPL will not accept donations or purchase materials or titles left at an EPL location, or any material with an invoice from an author that we receive without a purchase order number authorized by EPL. 

    No, we will not be accepting donations to the collection. Any books donated to the library will be sent to our book sale for fundraising.

    This depends. The collection will be maintained as per the library’s collection and weeding standards. Books may be removed periodically from the collection based on use or damage. 

    We will contact you by email if your book is selected for the collection. 

    Selection of submitted books for inclusion in the collection will be based on Capital City Press’s eligibility criteria as well as EPL’s Collection Development Policy. Please ensure that your book meets all of the criteria outlined by the submission form.

    If you would like your book to be considered for our general collection please follow the guidelines provided on our Information for Creators page.

    No. Any books dropped off at a library location will be sent to our book sale for fund raising.